The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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The ease of contemporary hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has prompted a global drive towards simplified and decentralised treatment pathways. In some countries, primary care has become an integral component of community-based HCV treatment provision. In the UK, however, the role of primary care providers remains largely focused on testing and diagnosis alone. ⋯ This study provides the first practicable pathway for primary care-initiated HCV treatment in Scotland, and provides recommendations for wider implementation in the UK. It positions primary care providers as an integral part of community-based HCV treatment, providing workable solutions to ingrained barriers to care.
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The impact on primary care workload of case-management interventions to reduce emergency department (ED) attendances is unknown. ⋯ A targeted case-management intervention to reduce ED attendances did not increase overall primary care use. Redistribution of usage is seen among some patient groups, particularly older people, which may have important implications for primary healthcare planning.
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People with physical-mental comorbidity have a poorer quality of life, worse clinical outcomes, and increased mortality compared with people with physical conditions alone. People of South Asian (SA) origin are the largest minority group in the UK and are more likely to have long-term conditions (LTCs) such as diabetes and heart disease. People of SA origin are less likely to recognise symptoms that may represent mental health problems. ⋯ This review provides a greater understanding of the conceptualisation of emotional distress in the context of LTCs by people of SA origin, to support improvement in its recognition and management.